I just wrote THE END for my third book, which is due January 15. Between now and then it goes to my readers and then back to me for all the 'fixes' before I send it on to my editor.
Factor in we are having our family Christmas on Wednesday and Thursday—add thatI found out this past Saturday that I'm to play for a wedding on January 4 (which means I have tomorrow and Friday to practice on the organ and I gave away all my organ music years ago)—I'm sorry, I know my limits. And attempting to blog anything meaningful this week is clearly beyond those limits.
I'll see you all again next Monday morning!!
Wishing you all a Happy New Year heaped and running over with blessings.
julane
Monday, December 29, 2014
Friday, December 26, 2014
Fond Memories Friday
Family room at Windsong Ranch
There will always be a very, very special place in our hearts for our Cassoday friends. Our home, our neighbors, our church. We miss them all.
Wednesday, December 24, 2014
Tuesday, December 23, 2014
Tuesday's Tale From the Tailboard
Firefighters Are Not Unique
As a writer, I am well aware of the power of words. I'm relatively sure I could paint a picture in your mind without ever picking up a paintbrush. But I'm also very aware that words have different meanings to different people. The picture one person perceives could be a complete contrast to the next person's, although the same words are applied.
For example: Firefighters work holidays if it's their shift. But so do policemen, nurses, doctors, soldiers and the list goes on. So if I lament about the years Bob spent at the firehouse on Christmas day, I would only be whining in light of all the others whose plight is/was the same. Firefighters are not unique.
Now, to vary this post a bit, it's your turn to paint your own mural. I'll supply the words—you choose the vocabulary, add the verbs, your own color and choice of strokes:
tinsel, family, alone, orphan, bells, carols, church, trees, presents, Jesus, Messiah, snow, candy, ribbons, sunshine, candles, manger, Bethlehem, job, soldiers, mothers, sisters, wives, children, brothers, born to die, stars, magi, shepherds, angels, eve, homeless, cold, fireplaces, infertility, miscarriages, death, life, cross, good tidings, bad news, lonely, ill, cured, miracles, greetings, neighbors, strangers, Mary, Joseph, birth, love, peace, joy, laughters, tears—
Frame your picture, no matter what it is, with the reminder that Jesus was born to die, so that we might have the promise of eternal life.
And if you'd been the only person on earth, it wouldn't have changed His mission.
FROM THE HIEBERT'S HEARTS TO YOURS—
WE WISH YOU A CHRISTMAS FULL OF HIS PRESENCE AND A NEW YEAR HEAPED AND RUNNING OVER WITH BLESSINGS.
EACH OF YOU, DEAR FRIENDS, ARE UNIQUE!
PIC FROM 2014
Monday, December 22, 2014
Mundane Matters
Time spent with grands will never be mundane.
On the contrary—it matters more and more.
Wednesday, December 17, 2014
Tuesday, December 16, 2014
Tuesday's Tale From the Tailboard
All Joking Aside
With three firefighters in the family, it goes without question that around our celebration tables there are many, many stories. Most of them are funny incidents that happen at the firehouse, some are hilarious tales of crazy things that happen on a call—those times where live or property was not in danger, but rather what happened between the firefighters themselves. And with three different firehouses, there are stories galore.
But then, there are those times when the laughter dies down. The voices become much softer, and the eyes a bit more moist. Those times when they can't finish the story. The times they would like to forget—the loss of lives and property around this time of year. The times when they worked so very hard, but couldn't save either. The times they know will affect families forever, and still affects them.
The next time you hear the wail of a siren and see the flash of a fire truck as it weaves its way around traffic, its air-horn blasting, say a prayer. A prayer, if you will, for those who are waiting for help to arrive. A prayer for the 'help' that is coming, their hearts pumping, their minds going over procedures, and maybe this isn't their first run of the day. Perhaps they are so tired it's hard for them to think. Maybe, just maybe the last run ended badly and they can hardly think of what might be ahead. And it could well be that they recognize the address toward which they are barreling and don't want to think.
Invariably, around our celebration tables, there comes that time when we—as a family who waited more than once for 'help' to arrive—put
All jokes aside.
With three firefighters in the family, it goes without question that around our celebration tables there are many, many stories. Most of them are funny incidents that happen at the firehouse, some are hilarious tales of crazy things that happen on a call—those times where live or property was not in danger, but rather what happened between the firefighters themselves. And with three different firehouses, there are stories galore.
But then, there are those times when the laughter dies down. The voices become much softer, and the eyes a bit more moist. Those times when they can't finish the story. The times they would like to forget—the loss of lives and property around this time of year. The times when they worked so very hard, but couldn't save either. The times they know will affect families forever, and still affects them.
The next time you hear the wail of a siren and see the flash of a fire truck as it weaves its way around traffic, its air-horn blasting, say a prayer. A prayer, if you will, for those who are waiting for help to arrive. A prayer for the 'help' that is coming, their hearts pumping, their minds going over procedures, and maybe this isn't their first run of the day. Perhaps they are so tired it's hard for them to think. Maybe, just maybe the last run ended badly and they can hardly think of what might be ahead. And it could well be that they recognize the address toward which they are barreling and don't want to think.
Invariably, around our celebration tables, there comes that time when we—as a family who waited more than once for 'help' to arrive—put
All jokes aside.
Monday, December 15, 2014
Mundane Monday
Morning Ritual
Reading the paper, hand on ever-present coffee cup, and back of his fuzzy white head. Mundane? In a way. But oh, how I would miss it. Our chairs are side by side, but he swivels his to take better advantage of the light from the lake-side windows.
There is comfort in this mundane ritual.
Friday, December 12, 2014
Friday's Fun
Do you have a dream-home? That one imaginary place you allow yourself to visit on a regular basis. Of course, the weather is always perfect, the furnishings are beautiful, and time or money is never a factor.
This is my wanna-go today, please.
Want to share your fantasy home?
Wednesday, December 10, 2014
Tuesday, December 9, 2014
Tuesday's Tale FromThe Tailboard
Sibling Sympathy
Remember Nero? You know—the emperor who reportedly fiddled while Rome burned?
I know, I know—no proof, but a double-meaning idiom nonetheless.
But let me tell you a TRUE story, no idiom, no double meaning, and certainly not the sign of an ineffectual leader. Just a little tale of…well, you'll have to decide.
Any time an alarm comes in, the hearts start pumping. It may not be anything huge, but the fact they must respond as though it were gives an adrenalin rush. And if the address given is a familiar one, i.e. family, friend, neighborhood, etc., it adds to the already building tension.
Such was the day of this tale.
First, there is protocol you must understand. You wonder why you have two screaming engines show up for what turns out to be a grease fire? Simply because it is impossible to determine from the person reporting the fire what is really taking place. One caller my panic when they see anything that resembles a flame, while the next person—either because of their personality or shock— will remain calm while their so-called Rome is burning. Thus, two engines always respond to the report of a structure fire. Think about it. If it were your property burning, wouldn't you rather have two trucks respond, even if only one was needed to extinguish the flames, rather than have to wait for the second one to arrive? Regardless of how it is done, there are always engine-followers, and scanner experts who know best. But—I'm off on a soap box. Back to my tale.
Bob was on duty, and the address of the reported kitchen fire was his sister's house.
Because there are always two sides to a story, I must relate his sister's version. You see, she had just gotten a new tape recorder (yes, this is an OLD tale). Remember how fun it was to listen to your own voice. On this particular evening, she'd put a skillet of grease on the stove and while it was heating decided to record herself…singing…an old familiar hymn…all three verses.
Yep, you guessed it!!
In all fairness, the fire was out by the time little brother arrived, all decked out in his firefighter gear. But there was lots of smoke.
And the story goes that little brother took big sister aside. And HER side of this story goes something like ,"now, when you get calmed down, you need to call your insurance company."
Again, HER words— "I WAS CALM."
OH, I'm sure you're wondering what song she was singing. Would you believe…
To God be the Glory!!!
That's this week's tale, and I'm sticking to it.
Remember Nero? You know—the emperor who reportedly fiddled while Rome burned?
I know, I know—no proof, but a double-meaning idiom nonetheless.
But let me tell you a TRUE story, no idiom, no double meaning, and certainly not the sign of an ineffectual leader. Just a little tale of…well, you'll have to decide.
Any time an alarm comes in, the hearts start pumping. It may not be anything huge, but the fact they must respond as though it were gives an adrenalin rush. And if the address given is a familiar one, i.e. family, friend, neighborhood, etc., it adds to the already building tension.
Such was the day of this tale.
First, there is protocol you must understand. You wonder why you have two screaming engines show up for what turns out to be a grease fire? Simply because it is impossible to determine from the person reporting the fire what is really taking place. One caller my panic when they see anything that resembles a flame, while the next person—either because of their personality or shock— will remain calm while their so-called Rome is burning. Thus, two engines always respond to the report of a structure fire. Think about it. If it were your property burning, wouldn't you rather have two trucks respond, even if only one was needed to extinguish the flames, rather than have to wait for the second one to arrive? Regardless of how it is done, there are always engine-followers, and scanner experts who know best. But—I'm off on a soap box. Back to my tale.
Bob was on duty, and the address of the reported kitchen fire was his sister's house.
Because there are always two sides to a story, I must relate his sister's version. You see, she had just gotten a new tape recorder (yes, this is an OLD tale). Remember how fun it was to listen to your own voice. On this particular evening, she'd put a skillet of grease on the stove and while it was heating decided to record herself…singing…an old familiar hymn…all three verses.
Yep, you guessed it!!
In all fairness, the fire was out by the time little brother arrived, all decked out in his firefighter gear. But there was lots of smoke.
And the story goes that little brother took big sister aside. And HER side of this story goes something like ,"now, when you get calmed down, you need to call your insurance company."
Again, HER words— "I WAS CALM."
OH, I'm sure you're wondering what song she was singing. Would you believe…
To God be the Glory!!!
That's this week's tale, and I'm sticking to it.
Monday, December 8, 2014
Mundane Monday
Lookin' Up
Sometimes, when everything else seems dreary and gray, one needs only to raise their eyes.
May your Mundane Monday be full of God surprises.
Sometimes, when everything else seems dreary and gray, one needs only to raise their eyes.
May your Mundane Monday be full of God surprises.
Friday, December 5, 2014
Fun Friday
You have five dollars ($5) to buy Christmas gifts for five (5) people.
The gift must last for at least six months.
What would you purchase?
And for whom?
Have fun!!
The gift must last for at least six months.
What would you purchase?
And for whom?
Have fun!!
Wednesday, December 3, 2014
Tuesday, December 2, 2014
Tuesday's Tale From the Tailboard
FATHER AND SONS
This picture is a proof, and was taken over twenty years ago. Rob's gear is red because he was still on the Winfield Fire Department at the time.
Rob, Bob, Kip
This picture is a proof, and was taken over twenty years ago. Rob's gear is red because he was still on the Winfield Fire Department at the time.
Monday, December 1, 2014
Mundane Monday
We so take for granted that we will be here for one more sunrise…one more sunset.
Perhaps because we do not see life as a gift, but have considered it…
mundane.
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